Harry sat in the Great Hall. It was quiet. The moon was out, casting shadows into the hall. He had been sitting in there since he had woken up. It seemed like a good place to relax.
It tore at him that he was so far away from her. He couldn't feel her and he hated it. The only thing he wanted was her back in his arms and safe.
The sound of hurried footsteps drew his gaze towards the door. Danielle came in, a bright smile on her face.
"She did it!" She cried happily.
"Did what?"
"Ginny. She called Alexis. It took her a bit to get to Ginny, but she did. We know where she is at."
"Really?" Harry said hopeful.
"She's not even that far from here. In some manor that the Malfoy's own. Of course it would be them that were behind it all. Mum and Dad need you."
Harry was on his feet and running towards the door at full speed. Danielle took off after him, doing her best to keep up with him.
"I may not be able to have what I really want from you but I can assure you what is going to happen to you is a lot worse," Draco snapped.
Ginny sat in her little cell, wondering where Hermione was. "I have no doubt about that."
"Cocky aren't you. Well, your precious little boyfriend won't be here to save you this time. Boys, have some fun."
Three Death Eaters came in. She recognized Crabbe, Goyle, and to her surprise, Blaise.
"Three pureblood Slytherins at the beck and call of some half-blood idiot. Amazing and I didn't think you all could sully our great house any more then what you already have. You've outdone yourself!"
"You're the one dating a Gryffindor," Crabbe said.
"Oh those house stereotypes are so stupid! You are all morons if you actually believe them. You've never even bothered to get to know anyone. I mean honestly. But that wouldn't matter, your daddies tell you how to think."
"Look who's talking you muggle lover," Blaise snapped.
"Looks like you are too. You're precious prince is nothing but a half-blood. Isn't life grand?" Ginny said with a roll of her eyes.
"Shut up you wench," Goyle said as he slammed his fist into the side of her face. Ginny hit the ground, her vision spinning from the impact.
"We'll teach you," Blaise said as his foot connected sharply with her side.
Hermione sat in a room that was horribly decorated. She was bound hand and foot and stuck on the bed. It wasn't her own life that she feared for but that of Ginny's. She knew that Draco was going to hurt her and she was afraid to know what they had planned for her.
The door swung open to reveal Ron. He shut the door behind him, casting locking and silencing spells all around the room. Hermione held her head up, glaring at the red headed boy.
"You won't get away with this you know."
"Come now Hermione, do you really think I am that stupid?"
"Do you really want me to answer that question?"
Ron laughed. "No, not really, I am sure whatever you have to say isn't near as bad as what Ginny was saying when she came to."
"So you were there when Draco tried to rape her."
"I had little choice in the matter, but yes I was. Amazing how powerful that bond really is. I'm glad to see she is happy."
"You know that's-wait what? You're happy? What the hell is going on?"
Ron sighed and pulled up a chair so that way he could sit. "I overheard that the Potters were on their way back to England. I was visiting a cousin of mine who happens to know them. He told me about it. Unfortunately I sort of got caught in a sticky situation. I'm a Hufflepuff and I'm loyal to my family. It was Dumbledore who needed a new, younger spy in the system. He suckered me into it. I couldn't back down now that I was in there."
"So you are helping someone kidnap and possibly kill your sister?"
He shook his head. "They won't kill Ginny, they need her alive to get to Harry. He'll rescue her I have no doubt about that."
"So all this time you were being a prick was because?"
"Because I had to put on a show. They have eyes all around the school. I had to keep up the act so that way they could trust me. It worked perfectly as Voldemort put me in charge of this mission. He said I could get what I want out of this. He's given me a sort of promotion and he trusts me more then that rat Malfoy. I came through with Ginny like he wanted."
"Why did you take me then?"
"Act. I needed someone who would listen to me what I had to tell you. I hate that my sister is probably being beaten right now, but I have to stay away from her. If they think that I am not loyal then I'll be killed and all the information that I gathered will mean nothing."
"What have you got?"
"I know when he plans to face Harry. I know how he plans to kill him. If this fails he already has a back up plan to cover up the mistake. He doesn't think his own Death Eaters will be able to stop Harry from getting away."
"Why doesn't he do it himself?"
"He can't. He still doesn't have the spell ready."
"Why kidnap Ginny now then?"
"Because he wants to know the strength of their bond. How long it will take for Harry to get to Ginny. He knows it's not complete, but I don't know how yet."
"And I'm supposed to believe this?"
"Yes," Ron said. "I know you can see it Hermione, that's why I've let my shields down."
"All this time?"
"The entire time. I really didn't want to, but that bastard old man left me no choice in the matter. I swear he is as bad as Voldemort over there."
"Mind releasing me?"
"Oh sure thing," he said as he waved his wand.
Hermione stretched her arms and legs before she rubbed her wrists and ankles. "So what is the plan?"
"We've only got one chance at this."
"What kind of chance are we talking about?"
"A small one and I mean very small. Harry will be here by tomorrow I'm sure. The problem is you can't leave."
"What? Why can't I?"
"Because he'll get suspicious. Ginny isn't supposed to know where you are. Malfoy is going to get in their way and it will cut back on their time before Voldemort gets back. The only thing we can do is to let you get the information to Ginny before she goes."
"I have to stay here?"
"Yes."
"I don't think I like this plan very much," Hermione said with a shake of her head.
"I didn't think you would so I am going to tell you the second option. You can leave with them and the Death Eaters get you again and we both get ample punishment for you getting away. They've tagged you Hermione, they can't tag Ginny because she's immune. They can track you down if they wanted to."
"I had no idea they could tag people."
"A simple spell. They've got you."
"There is no third option then?"
"Afraid not. We're only left with option A and option B," Ron said with a sigh.
"Looks like it's going to be A."
"I was hoping you'd say that. Now I've got all of this information stored so that way the Potters can do something with it."
"In what?"
"A memory. I'm sure they can find a pensive," Ron said as he produced a vial. "I'm sure everyone hates me by now, but this explains everything they need to know."
"Then they'll listen, I'll be sure of that. Ginny trusts me."
"I know, also another reason why I picked you."
"I have a question."
"Alright."
"Why not Pansy or Daphne? Or even Luna for that matter? She's close to them as well."
"Pansy would probably beat me to death. Daphne would hex me into next century. Luna, well I'm scared to think of what Luna would do to me."
"Good point. So when do I get to give this to her?"
"Two hours. They break after that, one of the rules laid down about torturing prisoners."
"Ah," Hermione said with a shake of her head.
"Yes I know."
There was a loud knock on the door. "Open up Weasley, take a break from Granger," a voice called.
"Oh, I'm sorry about this Hermione, but you're going to have to go with this."
"What are you talking about?"
"Lay down."
"Are you insane?"
"Lay down! They'll get suspicious and I'm supposed to be tested so please do this for me."
Hermione frowned but did as he said. "This is humiliating you know that right."
"Sorry," he said as he waved his wand. With another wave of his wand Hermione's hands were tied above her head and to the bed. Then he waved his wand again to place a thin sheet over her. "Kill me for this later alright?"
"Fine," she said mildly as she closed her eyes.
Ron headed for the door and threw it open. "What do you want now?" He demanded.
"Watch your tongue, you're still new here," Bella's voice snapped. "Our Master wants to be sure that you're following through with his plans."
"I did everything he asked."
"He means about keeping prisoners."
"I know the rules."
"Are you sure? You are still dressed."
"Maybe its because you interrupted me."
"He will be making sure that you aren't lying."
"Have I? I've done everything he's asked of me."
"I know but he wants to test your true loyalties," Bella said. "He's giving you one hour to have your time with her and then he checks. Rules are rules. I'll be back."
"Fine, go," Ron said as he shut the door.
"What was she talking about?" Hermione asked as she leaned up to gaze at him.
"The other terms we haven't talked about."
"Other terms?" She squeaked. "What the hell other terms could there be?"
"Please tell me you've slept with someone."
"No! You've got to be kidding me!"
"Either me or Lucius and he brutalizes women."
"You're insane you know that. I can't believe this. There is no way I'm going to."
Ron shook his head. "Do you honestly think I wanted to have to ask this of you? Hell I'd rather let them kill me then force you to do this, but guess what I'm saving you if we do this."
"How is that saving me?"
"Either you can go to Lucius or Rodolphus maybe even a Crabbe or Goyle. At least this way you won't be almost beaten to death and raped in the process. Take your pick Hermione."
"Is death an option?"
"It won't be quick and easy."
"Damn and I was hoping I'd get lucky for this."
"Unless you've slept with someone else then you're out of luck."
"Sorry, haven't quite found the right guy. Can't you sneak me out?"
"You're traceable remember. I don't know the counter spell yet or I would have done that after I told you."
Hermione growled. "I suppose this is just a small price to pay for my freedom."
"I still don't want to have to do this."
"Where is she?" Voldemort questioned.
"Right here," Bella said as she threw Hermione forward.
"What is with you people and throwing us? I mean honestly. One wrong fall and bam there goes my neck bone. I'd be dead before you got anything out of me."
"Shut up you Mudblood," Bella said as she kicked her from behind.
"Ouch, death by whiplash! That can cause permanent brain damage you know. I'd be about as useful as a vegetable."
"You've got a mouth on you don't you?" Voldemort said. "Maybe Mister Weasley didn't do what we wanted."
Hermione glared at Bella when she shoved her forward again. "I can walk on my own thank you."
"Cast the spell Bella, I want to see if young Mister Weasley does what he is told."
Bella cast the spell on Hermione and she could feel herself get light headed. "She passes," Bella said and Hermione could hear the disappointment in her voice.
"I see Mister Weasley has been faithful to us. Bring him in."
Bella left and returned with Ron in tow.
"Ah Mister Weasley," Voldemort said. "I see you have followed through as I told you to do."
"Like always, My Lord."
"You've been quite faithful to me. You may keep her as your own. I give you leave for two weeks."
"Leave?" Bella demanded.
"He has done everything I asked with perfection. I give him two weeks leave. You may go."
"Thank you My Lord," Ron said as he grabbed Hermione roughly by the arm. She barely managed to stumble after him. They continued down the hall to his room. "Hurry, grab what you can."
"Where are we going?"
"We can't go back to the school, it's too late for that. My parents won't let me in the house. Got any ideas?"
"My house. They won't think we went there and I can get word to everyone from there. It's our only shot."
"We need to get down to Ginny. So I want you to follow my lead on this one."
"Alright," Hermione said with a nod as she followed Ron down the halls. They headed down some more steps. Hermione gasped when she heard Ginny cry out in pain. Ron gripped her arm, trying to calm himself.
"I see you three are doing his dirty work," Ron sneered as he looked at Crabbe, Goyle, and Blaise.
"It's fun and payback for all her crap she put us through," Blaise said. "What is she doing here?"
"Coming with me. Our Master has given me and her two weeks vacation. Good luck boys."
"You're kidding!" Goyle said.
"Nope."
"He must really like you," Crabbe put in.
Ron stepped into the room and knelt beside Ginny. Bruises covered her arms and legs. Small cuts ran across her forehead and her bottom lip was swollen. "I warned you," he said with a shake of his head.
"Go to hell," she spat. "Hermione?" She asked through narrowed eyes so she could see.
"Ginny," Hermione said in a broken voice as she moved to kneel beside her friend.
"I'll let her say goodbye, she won't see her again," Ron said as she ushered the other three out.
"What have they done to you?"
"Beat the hell out of me what else. What has he done to you?"
"Nothing that I didn't agree to. Listen Ginny, there is more to this then you know. Here, these are Ron's memories so that way when Harry comes to get you they can learn the truth. Trust me on this Ginny, he's telling you the truth."
"But why? Why is he leaving me like this?"
"He can't interfere or Voldemort will kill him and me. We can't touch you Ginny. I'm so sorry."
Ginny nodded her head. "I understand. We need the spy inside."
"Don't worry they can only torture you for two hours before you get ten hours to rest. It's a rule Voldemort has."
"Oh wonderful, how long have I been in here?"
"An hour but you still have your real wand right?"
"Yes, but it won't help if I can't move."
"I know a spell. It's going to keep your right arm able to move but still retain the look of being bruised. It will allow you enough movement to heal yourself enough."
"Thanks Hermione."
"He'll come, I know he will."
Ginny smiled. "Be safe."
"I'd say the same but it would be a bit pointless."
"I know."
Hermione slipped the vial into her pocket that she kept hidden. She quickly cast a wandless spell and kissed Ginny's forehead. "I'll see you soon."
"Of course."
"Times up, lets go Hermione," Ron said as he pulled Hermione to her feet. 'Sorry,' he mouthed to Ginny before he left.
It took all their willpower to walk away from that cell, but there was nothing they could do. Harry was the only one who could get Ginny out alive.
A/N: And the truth is revealed! dun dun dun, see he wasn't a bad guy after all. It gets better as it moves on, or well it should, seeing as how I haven't written it its only speculation at this point. Alas I feel as if this story has yet to live up to its potential. Sadly enough I may have to abandon the darling for a bit before I can figure out where it has fallen short. I will undertake that project...wednesday, I think I might get some free time then.
Well tell me all what you think.
Seritha